NALEDI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY SPONSORED PROFILE

POSTAL: Private Bag X1, Dewetsdorp, 9940 | PHYSICAL: 13 Brand Street, Dewetsdorp TEL: 051 541 0012 | FAX: 051 541 0556

Mr Thabang Moses Cllr Mpolokeng Mahase Cllr Gift Tladi Mr Q W Lefora CHIEF FINANCIAL MAYOR CHIEF WHIP MUNICIPAL MANAGER OFFICER

VISION Institutional Profile-Political Component (Plenary Council) The Municipality views the vision and mission statements as The Council of Naledi Local Municipality consists of a total of a critical component for development. This is because certain eight councillors, four of which are ward councillors and four are steps were to be followed to have a credible vision and mission proportional representative councillors. Only the Mayor/Speaker statement developed. is full-time. The vision developed by the Municipality reads as follows: ‘A constantly progressive municipality where quality services and Composition, Boundaries and Size a healthy and safe environment empower a harmonised community Naledi is situated in the south-eastern Free State, and forms part to develop their own economic security in a sustainable local of Xhariep District Municipality. The Local Municipality area future for all.’ measures 3 424km2 and comprises the former Traditional Local Councils (TLCs) of Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Van Stadensrus, as well MISSION as a part of the former south-east, central-south and Bloem area To work as a committed team towards achieving the Municipality’s District TLCs. objectives by means of the following: • ensuring effective communication and consultation between POPULATION all stakeholders Population increase is important because it creates a market for • improving our capacity in terms of resources goods and services, resulting in economic growth, which will • absolute commitment towards the implementation of our hopefully lead to employment opportunities. The population of plans, programmes and strategies Xhariep District Municipality in 2001 was at 162 721. In 2011, with the • strengthening our institutional capacity inclusion of Naledi Municipality into Xhariep District, the population FREE STATE • developing a clear understanding, interpretation and decreased to 146 259. Our own population in Naledi has also implementation of Local Government legislation and policies suffered, with a population of 27 479 in 2001, dropping to 24 314 • ensuring proper accountability relating to clear roles and by 2011. responsibilities. There are also some positives reflected by Census 2011. For example, unemployment in Naledi Municipality has dropped from a VALUES staggering 37.1% in 2001 to 26.4% in 2011. Youth unemployment has The above-stated vision and mission will be attained through also dropped, although it is still very high by national standards, the following set of core values: from 48.8% in 2001 to 34.8% in 2011. • Democratic values • Equity TOURISM • Good governance The Caledon River runs through the town of Wepener and is an • Commitment important water source. It serves as a boundary to the mountain • Transparency Kingdom of Lesotho. • Accountability In front of the town hall is a statue of Louw Wepener. He was • Honesty killed by the Basotho rolling large rocks on him and his troops while • Professional approach they were trying to conquer Thaba Bosiu. This is represented by • Trust. the rocks on which his statue is mounted. The Dutch Reformed Church in Dewetsdorp is an important OVERVIEW OF THE MUNICIPALITY Heritage Site. The cornerstone of the church was placed by The Naledi Local Municipality was established in terms of President FW Reitz on 26 May 1894. Section 14 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Recreational fishing and hunting can be enjoyed at Caledon Act 117 of 1998 and was published in Provincial Gazette Nature Reserve, 30km outside Wepener, where tourists enjoy No. 109 dated 28 September 2000. The Local Municipality camping. Hunting and fishing can also be enjoyed at Mohokare is a Category B municipality with a plenary executive system Lodge. as contemplated in Section 3(b) of the Determination of Types At Van Stadensrus, there are Bushman paintings in the caves of Municipality Act 1 of 2000. that show Bushmen once inhabited the area.

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